Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
'Counter-Strike' Co-Creator Accused Of Paying 16-Year-Old For Sex, Filming Sexual Encounter
Jess Cliffe told police he thought the teen was 23.
"Counter-Strike" co-creator Jess Cliffe was arrested last week in Seattle for allegedly paying a minor to have sex with him and for recording the incident against the victim’s will.
The incident happened in 2017, according to KIRO7, when Cliffe allegedly met up with a girl he talked to on SeekingArrangement.com. That website promises to deliver “a new way for relationships to form and grow. Sugar Babies and Sugar Daddies or Mommas both get what they want, when they want it.”
The alleged victim is 16. According to Tech Spot, police records accuse Cliffe of paying her $300 an hour for three different meetings. She said that during their third and final meeting, Cliffe allegedly filmed the encounter without her consent. According to Tech Spot, Cliffe did not post the video upon the teen’s request.
The teen told police she used the website to "meet with men who offered to pay her money to have sex with her."
Cliffe, 36, told police he thought the teen was 23. Cliffe’s attorney, Zachary Wagnild, confirmed during a bail hearing on Friday that the two had sexual relations.
“Even if the facts are true as claimed, this was a meeting on an adult website,” Wagnild said. “He was not looking for underage women and had no idea this woman was underage.”
Wagnild also said that Cliffe is surprised by the charges and allegations.
"He has fully cooperated with the police investigation, providing any and all information that has been requested of him," he said.
Cliffe has posted bail of $150,000 and is due in court later this month. His employer Valve suspended Cliffe on Thursday, according to Kotaku.
In addition to co-creating the original "Counter-Strike," he worked on level design for "Half-Life 2," "Team Fortress 2," "Left 4 Dead 2" and "Portal 2" while working at Valve, according to Polygon.
Valve told Fortune, “We are still learning details of what actually happened. Reports suggest he has been arrested for a felony offense. As such we have suspended his employment until we know more.”
[Photo: YouTube]
